How Kelela’s Crystal-Strung Dreadlocks Became a Mesmerizing Beauty Phenomenon

"It's almost like she's creating her own soundtrack when she enters the room," explains hairstylist Virginie Moreira of Kelela and her recently conceived cascade of crystal-strung dreadlocks. "It's really captivating." And showgoers that spotted the alternative R&B chanteuse at fashion month, from front row at Raf Simon's Calvin Klein collection in New York to outside the Chloé show on the cobblestone streets of Paris, would agree.

The ethereal, chandelier-like style was dreamed up by Kelela's stylist and art director Mischa Notcutt in collaboration with London-based Moreira and the "LMK" singer herself. “Kelela is very hands on with what she wants to do with her hair and overall vision,” explains Moreira. “So she gives us a feel for what she's into or inspiration references from Janet Jackson to Mary J. Blige to Björk.” After Notcutt presented Moreira with a "wardrobe of ornaments"—including crystals, pearls, and hoop rings—she re-fashioned them so that they could hook into the ends of Kelela's dreadlocks to dramatic effect.

"It harks back to the traditional accessorizing of afro hair," explains Moreira, citing the Williams sisters and the beaded cornrow braids they wore on the tennis court at the beginning of their careers. Moreira was attracted to the "regal" aesthetic of the light-catching crystals, as well as the serene and calming sound they create when Kelela walks or smoothes her onyx lengths to one side. As far as maintenance, the custom adornments are easy to attach and detach, says Moreira, but it's important to keep the hair nourished with a moisturizing cream like Jane Carter Solution Twist & Lock, as well as touch up the ends with crochet needles.

As Kelela promotes her new, critically acclaimed debut album Take Me Apart, and dabbles into more mixed-media hairstyles—see: the pearlescent baubles affixed in her ankle-skimming lengths on the album's cover—rest assured it's just the beginning for this rising beauty chameleon. "It’s like arts and crafts," explains Moreira. "We're waiting to see what we can put in her hair next."